November
7
This race continues my discovery of new races to run since I have moved
to Alabama. I chose this race as it is
five weeks before Hellgate. Last year, I
ran the Paris Mountain 50k in Greenville, SC, but that race is a week later
this year. So, this year I am tackling a
race that is reported to be a little more difficult. My last race was five weeks ago at the
Cumberland Trail 50k, and since then my running has gone well. However, my left knee has been causing me
some pain sensations. Then two weeks ago
I realized that I had cut back on my Dove Dark Chocolate eating and when I
started eating it again—just a piece every day or two—my knee pain greatly
subsided!
Now I am looking forward to this challenge. I flew my plane into Franklin, NC, rented a
car, and drove south to Dillard, GA to the race packet pickup. The weather was forecasted to be rainy and
overcast, but when I landed it was mostly sunny. Then at the packet pickup it clouded back
over and stayed that way the rest of the evening. After picking up my race number, I went to
dinner at a BBQ place and thoroughly stuffed myself, enjoying the fries, pork,
and slaw, along with some lemonade.
In the morning, it was raining (as forecasted), and the temperature was
in the mid-50s. I ate my granola and
drove to the start. There was an early
start option for those that thought they needed more than the allotted 10
hours. They set off at 6:30am during the
heaviest rain of the day. The rest of us
started at 7am, and about half of the runners were wearing jackets. I ran in just shorts and a short-sleeve shirt
with a buff on my head and my Camelbak.
Mile
2.5 24:03 (9:37 avg/mi) Beegum Gap #1
The
rain is light but steady at the beginning of the race. We start in the heart of the Sky Valley
community and begin running uphill. Most
of this first section is on paved road, but before we reach the aid station,
the course transitions to a gravel road.
I don’t get anything at this aid station as there is mostly just water
and drink.
Mile
8.0 1:19:39 (14:29 avg/mi) Wilson Gap
#1
Now
the climb up the mountain begins in earnest as the course transitions again,
this time to a single track trail with switchbacks. It is a tough climb. The wind is blowing hard, but fortunately the
rain has nearly stopped. I work up quite
a sweat on this section and am thankful that I don’t have to remove a jacket or
any clothing. After we reach the top, we
begin a downhill section that I flat out fly down. I pass a few runners, and there are several
more behind me. We make great time, but
the downhill doesn’t last all the way to the aid station. The last couple of miles are rolling
terrain. At this aid station, I grab a
few PB&J sandwich quarters and a handful of potato chips.
Mile
12.0 42:15 (10:34 avg/mi) Darnell Creek
This
section begins an interesting part of the course. There is basically an out and back with two
spurs off of it, I think. There are also
a couple of creek crossings. When I
crossed the first one, and then we turned around, I thought I was hitting the
same creek crossing, just from a different direction. However, there was a branch of the course
that I didn’t notice (fortunately, I took the correct branch). This aid station is at the end of one of the
spurs, so I grab some potato chips and head back the way I came.
Mile
15.0 46:12 (15:24 avg/mi) Wilson Gap #2
The spurs were interesting, and I got to see most
all of the runners either coming or going, but I am glad to be back at this aid
station. I grab a couple of sandwich
quarters and try to determine where I am in relation to the rest of the
field. The spurs prevented me from
sizing that up and no one here seems to have a good grasp of positions
either. So, I push on readying myself
for the climb back up the first mountain.
Mile
22.0 1:59:38 (17:05 avg/mi) Three Forks
There
are a few of us climbing together leaving Wilson Gap #2. I am really working it hard coming up the
climb as I think I am further along in the race than I actually am. The switchbacks are tough and relentless
until we clear the initial peak, and then cross a small saddle before starting
the ascent up Rabun Bald. The final
section up to the top is pretty steep, and my legs are starting to get a little
tired. At the top, I am blessed with a
beautiful view, but this is not the aid station. I now get to descend down the backside of
Rabun, which we were warned about during the pre-race briefing. It is a lot of solid rock, covered by wet
leaves, and very steep. Actually, the
footing isn’t too bad, and I managed to keep my feet underneath me. However, the activity completely wipes out my
tired quads. By the time I finally get
down to the aid station, I am ready to be finished. The only problem is that there is still nine
more miles and one more climb! I fuel up
on some more sandwich quarters, refill my Camelbak, and drink a small cup of
Coke.
Mile
29.5 2:10:13 (17:22 avg/mi) Beegum Gap
#2
The
climb from Three Forks wasn’t terrible or very hard compared to the previous
climb, but at this stage in the race, it takes perseverance to keep putting one
foot in front of the other. There were a
couple of waterfalls on this section that were quite sizable, especially with
the rain from last night and this morning.
When the climbing ends, there are just a couple of miles of nice
single-track trail to get to this aid station.
At the aid station, I start talking with a guy who was just behind me on
the last section. He is wearing running
sandals, and I ask him about those. He
says he had to go to them as a foot injury ruined his arch and any shoe
aggravates his arch. This is his first
50k, so he is thrilled to be almost done.
Mile
31.2 19:29 (11:28 avg/mi) FINISH
Sandals
guy and I talk the whole way done the hill back into Sky Valley. I am in no hurry, and he seems content to
talk with me. I mention several 50 mile
races for him to consider. We keep
running down the hill, finally rounding the last turn, and crossing the finish
line.
Official
Finishing Time 7:41:29
74th
out of 167 finishers (18th of M40-49)
After
crossing the finish line, there is a tent setup with a barbeque lunch. I fill my plate with barbeque and slaw. They also have a keg of beer, but I can’t have
any as I have to fly home after this.
Although the rain definitely dampened the course, the race director and
volunteers have done their best to keep things lively. After filling my gut, I head for my car, but
not before I spy a creek where other runners are wading. So, I jump in and the cool mountain water feels
very good on my sore ankles and tired legs.
Overall this
race effort met my primary goal—get in a lot of hill work in preparation for
Hellgate in five weeks. However, this is
definitely a race that I want to do again.
I think that I could make up significant time now that I really know the
course. It is a very fun course with
some serious climbing. The race director
claims 7,000 feet of climbing. Now, I
just have to recover and prepare for Hellgate.
Until then…
Never stop
running,
DarinReturn to Darin’s Running Page.
